Toro Rosso driver Max Verstappen is top of Ferrari's wishlist for the 2017 season, according to Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Ferrari will retain its current line-up for next season after confirming Kimi Raikkonen's contract extension ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. Despite re-signing the Finn to another year alongside Sebastian Vettel, which ended speculation linking Ferrari with Valtteri Bottas, the rumour mill has not stopped in the Italian press.
The newspaper suggests a Verstappen switch to Maranello could hinge on the fate of the strained Red Bull/Renault partnership. It remains a possibility Red Bull and Renault could sever their relationship ahead of next season, despite having a contract until the end of 2016, meaning the Milton Keynes outfit would be looking for an engine supply.
In that scenario, the report suggests Red Bull would switch to Mercedes engines - a partnership F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone is pushing for - while junior team Toro Rosso would return to Ferrari power for the first time since 2013. That would mean Verstappen would have another season driving for Toro Rosso under the watchful eye of Ferrari before stepping up to replace 2007 champion Raikkonen.
Regardless of what happens with Red Bull and Renault, Verstappen's impressive rookie year meant links with Ferrari started before the re-signing of Raikkonen. The re-signing of Raikkonen for just one season means the rumours around 2017 are likely to continue into next year.